ARRANGED MARRIAGE- 1950's Love Story (COMPLETED)✔

CHAPTER 9

Amreen bid good-bye to her Uncle and Aunt with tears in her eyes. This is the second time she is being separated from them.

She kept crying in the car as well. Every time Faizaan looked at her crying his heart pained as well. But he was helpless as they are in presence of a driver and in public, he can't even hold her hand and make her feel better. After few more minutes of watching her cry, Faizaan took out his handkerchief and forwarded it to Amreen. She looked at him, he smiled blinking at her. Amreen sniffed and took the handkerchief and wiped her tears and nose. Faizaan relaxed little leaning against his seat.

It took them four hours to reach Amreen's village and ten more minutes to reach the mansion.

Amreen's paternal Haveli in her village is huge and beautiful. There is lush garden at the gate and a path leading to the entrance of the Haveli. Faizaan is very impressed. Amreen had her head lowered as the servants led them to the Haveli. Abdullah and his son stood at the door waiting for them.

'Damadji.' He exclaimed and hugged Faizaan, he then smiled at Amreen patting her head. She greeted her father politely.

Faizaan noticed she isn't much happy as she was back in Lucknow.

'Zeba Come, Damadji has come.' Abdullah beamed happily leading Faizaan and Amreen inside. Maajid as usual has a bored expression on his face, at times Amreen had wondered if that was his permanent expressions or some facial muscle defeat.

'Amreen Darling! Damadji.' Zeba rushed from inside. Amreen mentally rolled her eyes at her step-mother's fakeness.

'Nice place.' Faizaan said looking around a decorated room. Amreen nodded her head. She used to come here only during summer holidays, and stay hardly for two week. More than that neither she can tolerate her step-mother nor can she tolerate Amreen.

Faizaan noticed pile of few Urdu novels, he picked up the first one- a detective novel.

'Yours?' he asked pointing at the pile of novels placed on the table beside the dressing table. Amreen nodded her head, 'Yes.'

'Great! But have you tried English ones? the detective novels are very good. I have good collections I will share with you.' Faizaan said excitedly. Amreen simply nodded her head not knowing how to say to him that she doesn't even know the alphabets of the English language.

Before things got awkward a servant came and informed them that lunch is ready.

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Evening,

'Come sit, Damadji.' Abdullah called Faizaan and gestured him to sit with him on a Diwan. Faizaan nodded and sat beside his father-in-law. There are many other men in the living room as well and beside every one there is a Hookah stand.

'Damadji, I will get you one too.' Abdullah said and ordered one Hookah stand for Faizaan. Faizaan felt little uncomfortable, he doesn't smoke but thought it will be impolite to say no so he kept quiet.

A small table is arranged in between and there are many playing cards scattered on it.

'Damadji, join us.' Abdullah said forwarding him a pack of cards.

Faizaan nodded, he has played cards few times back in Aligarh and he must admit he plays well.

Amreen is seated among a group of women, her step-mother's friends. She felt completely out of place with the gossiping woman, some having Pan while some having Hookah.

'So, Amreen? How is your Sasural?' asked one of the woman.

'It is very nice.' Amreen answered politely, her head lowered.